Bathtub apron system

ABSTRACT

A bathtub apron system for use with either one of two differently shaped bathtubs. The bathtub apron system includes an apron having an essentially planar central section with first and second ends, and inwardly rounded sections extending respectively from the first and second ends of the central section. Outwardly rounded sections extend from the ends of the inwardly rounded sections to form the opposing outer edges of the apron. The outwardly rounded sections are removable at a predetermined position from the inwardly rounded sections to form a second shaped apron sized to fit a second shaped bathtub.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed generally to a bathtub apron systemand, in particular, to a modular bathtub apron which is pre-formed in afirst shape to fit a first bathtub configuration, and which can then beconveniently cut to form a differently shaped apron adapted to fit asecond bathtub configuration.

Bathtubs, including whirlpool tubs, sauna tubs and the like, come invarious shapes and sizes. In addition, such tubs are variouslyconfigured to be installed in the corner of a room, against one wall, orfree-standing and spaced from the wall. Conventional tubs are pre-formedor cast in the desired shape from various materials includingenamel-coated cast iron or steel, plastics, or other materials which canprovide a rigid tub structure.

Tubs come either pre-formed with a skirt or apron surrounding the tub toprovide a finished appearance thereto, or are formed without such skirtor apron, which is added after the tub has been installed at the Jobsite. The present invention is directed to tubs which are originallymanufactured without a skirt or apron in place, where the skirt or apronwill be installed after installation of the tub in the desired location.

In such tubs manufactured without skirts or aprons, the prior art hasrequired that each shaped tub be provided with its own specificallyshaped apron to correspond to the shape of the particular tub with whichit will be used. Thus, each time a new tub design was developed, aspecially designed apron was also required to be designed for usetherewith. For example, heretofore, a specially designed corner tubrequired its own shaped apron, and a conventional oval-shaped tub,either freestanding or against a wall, required a second, newly formedapron.

Accordingly, it is desired to provide a bathtub apron system whereby asingle, pre-formed apron is adapted to fit at least two differentlyshaped bathtubs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally speaking, in accordance with the present invention, a bathtubapron system for use with either one of two differently shaped bathtubs,is provided. The bathtub apron system includes an apron having anessentially planar central section with first and second ends, andinwardly rounded sections extending respectively from the first andsecond ends of the central section. Outwardly rounded sections extendfrom the ends of the inwardly rounded sections to form the opposingouter edges of the apron. The outwardly rounded sections are removableat a predetermined position from the inwardly rounded sections to form asecond shaped apron sized to fit a second shaped bathtub.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide abathtub apron system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bathtub apronsystem wherein a single pre-formed bathtub apron can be used to fit atleast two differently shaped tubs.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a bathtub apronsystem which reduces the cost and amount of materials required duringmanufacture and installation of bathtubs.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part beobvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope ofthe invention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention, reference is had to thefollowing description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a bathtub apron system andbathtub constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial top plan view of the bathtub and apron systemdepicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the bathtub apron system ofthe present invention shown in use on a second shaped bathtub;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the bathtub depicted in FIG. 4; and,

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the apron depicted in FIG. 1showing where the apron can be cut to form a second shaped apron.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference is first made to FIGS. 1 through 3 of the drawings whichdepict a bathtub apron system, generally indicated at 10, constructed inaccordance with the present invention. Bathtub apron system 10 is shownin use in conjunction with a first shaped tub 12. Tub 12 is designed asa corner tub having essentially perpendicular side walls 13a and 13badapted for installation in the corner of a room. When installed in sucha corner, the front unfinished surface 14 of tub 12 will be exposed.

Front rim 16 of tub 12 includes a central portion 18 which isessentially flat or planar and has inwardly rounded portions 20 and 22extending therefrom. Each of inwardly rounded portions 20 and 22 extendrespectively into outwardly rounded portions 24 and 26. Tub 12 may beformed from any suitable material used to form bathtubs, whirlpool tubsor the like such as fiberglass-reinforced acrylic, plastic,enamel-coated steel or cast iron, or other such materials.

In order to cover the exposed front 14 of tub 12, bathtub apron system10 includes an apron 40 which is generally shaped like rim 16 of tub 12.Apron 40 includes a central section 42 which is essentially planar.Central section 42 terminates in opposing ends 44 and 46 which arerounded inwardly similar to inwardly rounded sections 20 and 22 of rim16 of tub 12. Inwardly rounded portions 44 and 46 extend outwardly intorespective outwardly curved portions 48 and 50 which correspond inessence to the shape of outwardly curved portions 24 and 26 of rim 16.

It is preferred that apron 40 be formed as a thermoformed acrylic sheet200 which can be reinforced with a fiberglass material 202 as bestdepicted in FIG. 3. The material may be PVC or the like.

After tub 12 is installed in the desired location at the job site,pre-formed apron 40 is inserted and installed. Apron 40 includes anupper lip 54 which is captured under downwardly extending tongue 16a ofrim 16 as best depicted in FIG. 3. A kick plate or strip 60 whichattaches to the bottom of apron 40 is provided for completing theinstallation. Pressure sensitive attaching means such as Velcro® may beused to releasably couple strip 60 to apron 40.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 4 and 5 which depict a differently shapedbathtub 80 which in its outward shape is oval in appearance. Apron 40 asdepicted in FIG. i will not fit on tub 80 due to outwardly roundedsections 48 and 50 thereof. However, the present inventors havediscovered that if outwardly rounded sections 48 and 50 were removed bycutting or like process, the remaining apron would fit on oval tub 80.Hence, FIG. 4 depicts apron system 10 with outwardly curved portions 48and 50 removed. As seen in FIG. 5, modified apron 40 readily fits underlip 82 of tub 40 and provides a complete finished appearance thereto.

Through the thermoforming process, the tool used will leave a convenienttool line or mark which can be used as a guide for cutting off outwardlycurved portions 48 and 50. A saw or similar cutting implement willreadily sever the apron sections to be removed.

When tub 80 is installed against a wall, only one modified apron 40 isrequired. A kick strip 96 provides the finishing appearance. However,when tub 80 is to be installed as a stand alone unit, a second apron 40'can be used as depicted to provide a full finished and closed appearancetherearound. When first and second modified aprons 40 and 40' areutilized, a second kick strip 96' is required. Also, flexible trimstrips 100 are used to conceal the opposing seams created by the matingof inwardly rounded edges 46 and 46' and 44 and 44'.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a bathtub apron systemwherein only one apron is required to be pre-formed for two differentlyshaped bathtubs. The ends of the apron can be conveniently cut andremoved at the tool line to provide a modified apron adapted to fit asecond shaped tub. Tool costs are reduced resulting in reducedmanufacturing costs.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above among those madeapparent form the preceding description, are efficiently attained and,since certain changes may be made in the above construction withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intendedthat all matter contained in the above description or shown in theaccompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features the invention hereindescribed and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as amatter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bathtub apron system for use with either one oftwo differently shaped bathtubs, comprising an apron having anessentially planar central section with first and second ends, concaverounded sections each having a first end and an opposite second end,said first end of said convex rounded sections extending from andconnected to said first and second ends of said central section andconcave rounded sections each having a first end connected to andextending from said second ends of said concave rounded sectionsrespectively, said apron being adapted to fit one of said differentlyshaped bathtubs wherein said one of said differently shaped bathtubs hasan outer periphery identical to the shape of said apron with saidcentral, convex and concave sections, said concave rounded sections ofsaid apron being removable at said first ends thereof from said secondends of said concave rounded sections to form a second shaped apronadapted to fit the other of said differently shaped bathtubs whereinsaid other of said differently shaped bathtubs has an outer peripheryidentical to the shape of said second apron with said central and convexsections.
 2. The bathtub apron system as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid second ends of said concave rounded sections are marked with marksto identify a location where said concave rounded sections should beremoved.
 3. The bathtub apron system as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidapron includes an unfurnished bottom, and further comprising a kickplate and coupling means for coupling said kick plate to said apron. 4.The bathtub apron system as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of said twodifferently shaped tubs is a corner tub and the other of said tubs is anoval tub.
 5. The bathtub apron system as claimed in claim 2, whereinsaid marks are made by a tool used to form said apron.
 6. The bathtubapron system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said apron is formed as athermoformed acrylic sheet.
 7. The bathtub apron system as claimed inclaim 6, wherein said acrylic sheet is reinforced with a fiberglassmaterial.
 8. The bathtub apron system as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid second shaped apron forms essentially half of an oval, said secondshaped apron, when joined to a like second shaped apron, forms a fulloval apron adapted to surround an oval tub.